Norberto Bobbio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norberto Bobbio
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| Born | 18 October 1909 Turin, Italy
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| Died | 9 January 2004 (aged 94) Turin, Italy
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| Alma mater | University of Turin |
| Era | Contemporary philosophy |
| Region | Western philosophy |
| School | Liberal socialism |
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Norberto Bobbio (born October 18, 1909 – died January 9, 2004) was a very important Italian thinker. He was a philosopher of law and a political scientist. This means he studied how laws work and how governments are organized. He also wrote about the history of political ideas. Bobbio often wrote for a newspaper called La Stampa in Turin.
He believed in something called liberal socialism. This idea combines freedom (liberalism) with fairness for everyone (socialism). He was inspired by other thinkers like Piero Gobetti and Hans Kelsen.
Contents
Norberto Bobbio's Early Life
Norberto Bobbio was born in Turin, Italy, on October 18, 1909. His parents were Luigi and Rosa Caviglia. His father was a doctor, so his family was quite well-off. This meant he had a comfortable childhood.
As a child, Bobbio enjoyed writing poems. He also loved classical music, especially Bach and Verdi's opera La traviata. Later in life, he developed an illness that made him feel very tired. This feeling stayed with him and became part of his thinking.
Bobbio went to the Liceo Classico Massimo d'Azeglio school. There, he met friends who would become famous figures in Italy. These included Leone Ginzburg, Cesare Pavese, and Vittorio Foa. In 1928, like many young people at the time, Bobbio joined the National Fascist Party.
Bobbio's Life and Political Ideas
Norberto Bobbio grew up in a wealthy family in Turin. His family supported Fascism, which they saw as a way to stop the spread of Bolshevism. Bolshevism was a type of communism that they feared.
During World War II, Italy was under the Fascist rule of Benito Mussolini. In 1942, Bobbio joined a secret group called the Partito d'Azione (Party of Action). This group was against the Fascist government. He was put in prison for short times in 1943 and 1944.
After the war, he tried to become a politician in 1946 but was not successful. Italy was then mostly led by the Christian Democrats. Bobbio decided to leave politics and focus on his studies and teaching.
Understanding Left and Right Politics
Bobbio was famous for explaining the difference between left-wing and right-wing ideas.
- The Left believes in trying to make society more equal. They think that many differences between people are unfair and can be changed.
- The Right often believes that some differences are natural. They might think that trying to make everyone equal can lead to problems or even unfairness.
Beliefs in Law and Democracy
Norberto Bobbio strongly believed in the rule of law. This means that everyone, including leaders, must follow the law. He also supported the separation of powers. This idea divides government into different parts, like the people who make laws and the people who enforce them. This helps prevent any one part from becoming too powerful.
He was a socialist, meaning he wanted a fairer society. However, he disagreed with parts of Marxism that seemed to be against democracy or supported authoritarian rule. Authoritarian rule is when one person or a small group has total power.
Bobbio supported cooperation between different political groups in Italy. He was also a strong critic of Silvio Berlusconi, a famous Italian politician. Bobbio passed away in Turin, the city where he was born and lived most of his life.
Bobbio's Academic Career and Awards
Norberto Bobbio studied the philosophy of law. He later taught this subject at several universities, including Camerino, Siena, and Padua. In 1948, he returned to Turin to teach, taking over from his former teacher. From 1972 to 1984, he held a special teaching position in political science in Turin.
He was a member of important academic groups, like the Lincean Academy in Italy. He also helped lead a philosophy magazine. In 1966, he became a member of the British Academy.
In 1979, the Italian President Sandro Pertini made him a Senator-for-life. This is a special honor given to important people. Bobbio also received many awards and honorary degrees from universities around the world. These included universities in Paris, Madrid, and Bologna.
To celebrate 100 years since his birth, a special committee was formed. This group included many important organizations and thinkers. They planned events to discuss Bobbio's ideas and the future of democracy. The celebrations officially began on January 10, 2009, at the University of Turin.
Images for kids
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Norberto Bobbio, a famous Italian philosopher and political scientist.
See also
In Spanish: Norberto Bobbio para niños
